Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama, who is set to be elected Japan's next prime minister on Sept. 16, pledged Monday to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020.

"It is one of our pledges stipulated in our (election) manifesto so we have to have a political will to aim at its realization by utilizing all policy tools," Hatoyama said in a speech at a symposium on climate change in Tokyo.

Noting the importance of a fair and effective international framework in fighting climate change, Hatoyama urged all major nations to set "ambitious" goals" in cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Developing countries need to strive to cut emissions "in the process of achieving sustainable development and eliminating poverty under the principle of 'common but differentiated responsibilities,'" he said.

And developed nations, on the other hand, need to offer "financial and technological support" to developing countries to achieve their goal of emission cut.

Japan, the world's fifth largest greenhouse gas emitter, is expected to present its target at an international conference on climate change to be held in Copenhagen in December.

The outgoing government's 2020 goal announced in June is equivalent to eight percent cut from the 1990 levels.

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2009)